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On the second day of filming.

I woke up early again today.

But unlike yesterday, I couldn’t afford to be leisurely.

I quickly washed my face and, with the cameraman, stepped outside wearing sunglasses from the early morn.

“Where are you going?”

The newly assigned female cameraman asked, her tone different from yesterday, sounding curious about my hurried movements.

I smiled back at her question, my cheeks slightly flushed.

“I’m off to work.”

Outside, a large van was waiting.

Vroom vroom.

“Hello.”

“Yes, Kim Soo-hyun.”

Getting in through the familiar door, I spotted Park Kang-seok in the driver’s seat.

The cameraman was amazed by the size of the car and Park Kang-seok’s build as she took a seat behind me.

In fact, there was already a camera attached inside the car.

It must have been installed the day before with the agency’s permission.

The car headed towards a shop in Gangnam.

“Welcome~”

I had already informed the shop in advance through the agency.

Moreover, since this shop was frequently visited by celebrities, the owner seemed quite accustomed to such variety shows.

To the extent that…

“Oh my, it’s nice to see you again?”

“Oh, yes….”

“Please, have a seat~”

She recognized even the cameraman who followed me.

After casually seated him down, I continued my preparation for the day’s shoot.

“Alright, let’s move on to the next location.”

Feeling significantly better compared to when I left home earlier, we soon drove to the filming location.

I heard that the agency had already notified them that we were filming for a variety show.

In situations like this, it’s great to have a supportive agency.

If I were stepping into this alone for the variety show, I would have had to communicate everything on my own, right?

Thinking about that sends a chill down my spine.

Upon arriving at the filming location, I noticed the cameraman attracting some attention.

As he was from a completely different team, I could see the existing crew members showing interest.

Well, shooting scenes should naturally be kept secret.

Of course, this variety show was casting due to Lady Soo-yeon’s popularity, but they also anticipated the promotional effect from Sera’s drama, so the filming itself was welcomed by the director.

However, weren’t we shooting scenes from the latter half? If leaked, it would indeed be a massive spoiler.

Thus, after receiving some understanding, the cameraman decided to record ordinarily when I was waiting or resting.

“Hello.”

“Oh, did you arrive, Kim Soo-hyun?”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work today.”

I greeted the now-familiar staff as I entered, finding them busy preparing for the shoot.

Since I had already completed my makeup and hairstyle at the shop, I quickly changed into the prepared designer outfits and stepped outside.

The cameraman, who followed, was busy capturing my transformed appearance as Sera, with admiration shining in his eyes.

…Given how horrible yesterday’s scenes were, it was clear today he was trying desperately to make this work.

“Here’s the coffee.”

“Thank you.”

In the meantime, while I was changing outfits, Park Kang-seok expertly brought coffee for me.

After handing it to me first, he sneakily offered coffee to the cameraman too, showing his experience.

Indeed, taking care of the staff like that is great.

Usually, the manager’s care is directed towards the actor, so I’m grateful to Park Kang-seok.

“Kim Soo-hyun! Could you come over here for a moment?”

“Oh, yes.”

That aside, it was time to work.

Hearing the director’s call, I joined today’s meeting.

As the project is approaching the final chapters, the director seemed to be on high alert.

Perhaps that’s why he occasionally asked the actors performing in the latter scenes for their opinions on how we should proceed.

“How would you like Sera to act here?”

Exactly this kind of exchange.

Naturally, the actors who have immersed themselves in their roles the longest know their characters best…

“Hmm….”

Honestly, I found it a bit challenging.

Numerous reasons play into it, but I suppose the main issue is lack of experience.

The likes of Moon Chang-sik and Han Ye-eun often suggest impromptu ad-libs during such meetings, while Nam Han-kyung and I tend to hold back.

So, I guess it is indeed due to inexperience.

Anyway, with the light meeting concluded.

We exited with the other actors from the casual meeting room.

“Oh, that person.”

Just then, Moon Chang-sik acknowledged the cameraman.

“Do you know them?”

“I’ve filmed with them before.”

“Oh.”

Thinking about it, didn’t Moon Chang-sik say he filmed daily videos for the past two days?

I can see how he might recognize them.

“Then let’s go say hi.”

“You shouldn’t acknowledge camera crew members during observation variety shows.”

“Well… that’s true.”

Still, a simple greeting should be fine, right?

After all, I offered them coffee earlier.

“More importantly, come here for a second.”

“What’s up?”

While we were both out of the meeting room, I led Moon Chang-sik into my waiting room.

Actually…

“I was wondering how to approach this part.”

I planned to ask Moon Chang-sik about something I didn’t know while he was on set today.

I showed him the script for a scene we would be filming today.

It was a moment where Sera was cornered and her emotions were about to overflow.

Since it required even more emotional expression than what I usually portrayed, my worries were considerable.

“Oh, this part?”

“Yes, I’m worried it might come off as overacting.”

It would be quite embarrassing to NG due to overdoing it during an actual take, you know?

But I can’t just underperform either.

Thus, I asked the acting maestro, Moon Chang-sik.

Besides, he is my mentor after all.

“Hmmm… it is indeed a tough scene.”

“Isn’t it?”

Since I’ve been prepared ever since taking the lead role, I knew there would be challenging scenes like this in the latter half.

Every time I stumble upon such moments, I tend to ask my fellow actors for help… but honestly, I still can’t grasp it.

“Could you perform it for me?”

“…Me?”

“Haha, just kidding.”

“Well, if I were to give you a solid tip….”

As I was gathering acting tips from Moon Chang-sik.

“We’re beginning filming now!”

As the set was ready, the filming call was made, and we stepped out of the waiting room.

**

“Alright. Let’s take a short break!”

It was lunchtime.

A time when actors and crew took a break to eat.

Generally, we either go out to a restaurant, but on days like today, when conditions don’t allow it, we eat boxed lunches.

The location was the waiting room I had brought Moon Chang-sik to earlier.

Since eating alone feels awkward, I was having lunch with Nam Han-kyung, who had just shot a scene with me.

“Hey, cameraman, feel free to join.”

“Oh, thank you. But I’ll eat later.”

I casually offered the boxed lunch I had prepared to the cameraman, who politely accepted but didn’t eat right away.

Hmm, are they really just focused on shooting?

Nam Han-kyung opened up his box lunch effortlessly and started eating.

While I too munched on my lunch, I reflected on the remaining schedule for the day.

Following this, we were set to shoot one last scene.

So, I decided to take the remaining time for a light dance lesson.

Fortunately, after a day of leisure yesterday, today was set as a dual day of acting and lessons.

I wondered if I could compensate for yesterday’s lack of footage today.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Oh, just that I have somewhere to go after filming.”

“Wow, sounds busy.”

“Gotta keep moving.”

So, after conversing with Nam Han-kyung over lunch, we resumed filming.

“Ah, perfect! Cut!”

The scene I was worried about, for which I had sought the help of Moon Chang-sik, fortunately wrapped up sooner than expected.

Was it due to the valuable tips I received from him?

Or maybe I really did well after all.

Perhaps I’ve got some innate talent?

Anyway, afterward, we took Park Kang-seok’s car to the Dance Academy.

“Thanks. I’m clocking out now.”

Once we reached the Dance Academy, Park Kang-seok clocked out.

After all, subsequent schedules were unrelated to the actor agency.

To be precise, they were unrelated to Park Kang-seok’s agency.

It’s connected to The Six.

“Oh. Welcome.”

This time I arrived just in time, so thankfully there were no students lingering.

“Please, come this way.”

I had notified them in advance that we were filming a variety show, and Lee Ye-ryeong, who has experience appearing on TV, gracefully accepted the cameras.

“Shall we give it a try?”

“Yes….”

After the first lesson, I frequently returned to the Dance Academy.

Now, I was able to dance to Lee Ye-ryeong’s teaching, feeling a bit lighter than before.

“You’ve improved a lot! Now we can start the serious practice.”

“Haha….”

I hadn’t begun proper practice for the tracks for the upcoming concert yet.

Yet, as I slowly regained my form, it was time to tackle them one by one.

I needed to know how to dance for all songs listed in the concert since even those not performed live had to be danced during recordings.

…That realization was somewhat daunting, but I still practiced earnestly.

Honestly, rehearsing was quite enjoyable.

I couldn’t help but admire how my body moved in sync with the music while gazing at the full-length mirror in the lesson room.

Moreover, it serves as exercise, so it was a win-win.

“Alright, great! That’s all for today.”

“Phew… understood.”

Thus, the lesson concluded.

This time, I didn’t push myself to the point of collapse like before.

I needed to stay in shape for tomorrow’s filming.

Still, I had a feeling that once the filming was over, I would probably push hard again, and that thought was a bit frightening.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“Okay! Have a safe trip!”

Anyhow, following the dance lesson’s conclusion.

Since Park Kang-seok had clocked out, I took a taxi and arrived home just as the evening sky darkened.

“…Huh.”

Stretching out my stiff body, I opened the main gate and entered the house.

Looking up into the darkened sky, I felt a sense of fulfillment brewing inside me.

I guess I was a bit busy today.

Unlike the first day, I had done occasional interviews for the variety show in between.

I suppose that’s sufficient for today, right?

Realistically, though, filming is one thing, and seeing how the footage turns out is another matter.

Around next week, I would probably check out the edited video in the studio, so I’ll save my judgment for then.

Come to think of it, that day marks the first day I will be going to the variety show studio properly.

I wonder how the other variety artists are doing.

After arriving home, I washed up and immediately collapsed into bed.

Now, there was nothing left for me to do but wait.

But I was satisfied with how hard I worked on this second day and closed my eyes.

Thus, my filming for the two-day variety show concluded.

 

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